Comparison of the Two Coagulation Techniques: Thrombolyzer XRM and Diagon Coag XL.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance characteristics of the Thrombolyzer XRM against the Diagon Coag XL during the exchange of the coagulation analyzer.

Methods: The Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT) and prothrombin time (PT) measurements were performed by using the Thrombolyzer XRM and Diagon CoagXL analyzers. The precision, accuracy, method comparison, and reference range verification studies were performed on the Thrombolyzer XRM based on Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines.

Sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone treatment is not affected by OPRM1 A118G and BDNF Va66Met polymorphisms, but alters the plasma beta-endorphin and BDNF levels in individuals with opioid use disorder.

The study aimed to examine the genetic contribution to buprenorphine (BUP) treatment in individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD), with a specific focus on BDNF and OPRM1 genes. A total of 113 controls and 111 OUD patients receiving sublingual BUP/naloxone were enrolled. OPRM1 A118G and BDNF Val66Met polymorphisms were investigated by PCR-FRLP.

Effects of UGT2B7 rs7662029 and rs7439366 polymorphisms on sublingual buprenorphine metabolism in heroin addicts: An improved PCR-RFLP assay for the detection of rs7662029 polymorphism.

This study aimed to determine the effects of UGT2B7 rs7662029 and rs7439366 polymorphisms on plasma buprenorphine (BUP) concentration and different treatment responses in a sample of 109 patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) treated with sublingual BUP/naloxone. Polymorphisms were analysed by PCR-RFLP. Plasma concentrations of BUP and its metabolite norbuprenorphine were detected by LC-MS/MS.

Evaluation of patients with acute pancreatitis associated with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19); The importance of lipase/lymphocyte ratio in predicting mortality.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 is the cause of a pandemic with high mortality. In the present study, the effects of the lipase/lymphocyte ratio on mortality were investigated in cases diagnosed with Covid-19 and acute pancreatitis.

Methods: A total of 21 patients who were diagnosed with Covid-19 and acute pancreatitis, 34 patients who were not diagnosed with COVID-19 but diagnosed with acute pancreatitis, and 55 healthy control groups were divided into 3 groups and included in the study retrospectively.

A new biomarker in severe pneumonia associated with coronavirus disease 2019: hypoalbuminemia. A prospective study.

Background: Effective triage and early detection are very important for controlling and treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Thus, the relationships between hypoalbuminemia and other acute-phase reactants in such cases need to be evaluated.

Objectives: To investigate the importance of albumin levels in cases of severe pneumonia due to COVID-19.

Dynamic Thiol/Disulphide Homeostasis in Acute Urticaria.

Background: Urticaria is an unknown, sudden, and itchy skin disease that is recognized with redness, swelling, and is sometimes seen with angioedema. It is classified as acute or chronic, depending on the duration of symptoms. Thiols in plasma are powerful antioxidants that physiologically eliminate free radicals.

Evaluation of the diagnostic performance of an oral fluid screening test device for substance abuse at traffic controls.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the analytical performance of the Kite Biotechnology Oral fluid (OF) screening test device, which is used for roadside screening of cannabis, opiates, amphetamines, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), cocaine and benzodiazepines by comparing samples with matched plasma samples, analysed via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for confirmation.

Methods: OF and plasma samples were obtained simultaneously from a total of 100 subjects. OF samples were analysed by OF screening test based on immunochromatography.

Oxidant and antioxidant balance in children with bacteremia.

Background: There is a crucial balance between oxidant and antioxidant defense mechanisms. We aimed to evaluate the role of the balance of these systems in children with bloodstream infection.

Methods: We analyzed prospectively oxidant and antioxidant stress parameters from serum samples of children with BSI besides demographic and clinical data of children.

The Association of Ischemia Modified Albumin with Osteoarthritis Progression.

Background: We suggested a relationship between increased serum IMA (ischemia-modified albumin) levels and cartilage degeneration. We proposed that the increased serum levels of IMA was due to the oxidative stress mechanism against ongoing cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis (OA) and thus may be associated with the progression of OA. We aimed to investigate serum IMA levels in OA patients and determine whether any changes in IMA levels are useful as a marker in increased OA.

Is there a relationship between dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis and osteoarthritis progression?

We aim to determine serum dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis with novel methods in early-stage osteoarthritis and late-stage osteoarthritis patients and investigated whether it was associated with the progression of osteoarthritis risk or not. One hundred eighteen patients were included in this prospective study. Osteoarthritis patients were divided into five stages, according to the Kellgren-Lawrence scale.

Effects of 1,25-Dihydroxy vitamin D on TNF-α induced inflammation in human chondrocytes and SW1353 cells: a possible role for toll-like receptors.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate anti-inflammatory and chondro-protective effects of 1,25(OH)D in human chondrocytes and SW1353 cells via investigating expressions of MMPs, TIMPs, VDR, and intracellular signalling pathway mediators such as TLR-2 and -4. The HC and SW1353 cells were treated with 1,25(OH)D at 10, 100, and 1000 nM concentrations in the absence/presence of TNF-α (20 ng/mL) for 48 h. The mRNA expressions of MMP-1, -2, -3, -9, and -13, TIMP-1 and -2, VDR, TLR-2 and -4 in HC and SW1353 cells were detected by qPCR after treatments.

Relationship between tear eotaxin-2 and MMP-9 with ocular allergy and corneal topography in keratoconus patients.

Purpose: To analyze the relationship between the seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC), eotaxin-2, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and the topographical findings in the keratoconus patients.

Methods: Thirty-four eyes of patients without SAC (Group 1), 34 eyes of patients with SAC (Group 2), and 20 eyes of control subjects (control group) were enrolled. Tear samples of the subjects were collected by Schirmer method.

Evaluation of serum fibroblast growth factor-23 in patients with axial spondyloarthritis and its association with sclerostin, inflammation, and spinal damage.

The mechanisms underlying new bone formation in individuals with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) remain unclear; however, low levels of sclerostin (SOST) may be associated with development of syndesmophytes in those with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Expression of fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23), another osteocyte factor, is high in those with osteoporosis and chronic renal failure, but levels in those with axSpA are unknown. To evaluate serum FGF-23 and SOST levels in axSpA patients, and to assess their relationship with inflammation and structural damage.

Dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 and tuberous sclerosis.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and tuberous sclerosis (TSC) are autosomal dominant neurocutaneous diseases. Epilepsy, malignancy and other neurological complications are common in both diseases. We aimed to investigate the thiol/disulphide balance as an oxidative stress marker in children who suffer from NF1 and TSC.

Dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a disorder that alter the expression of the dystrophin protein. Dystrophin deficiency alters the structural integrity of the contractile apparatus/sarcolemmal integrity, leading to dystrophic changes. Dystrophin deficiency results in an increase in oxidative stress.

Does Tadalafil Increase The Uptake of Finasteride into Prostate Tissue? A Biochemical and Histological Evaluation in Rats.

Purpose: To histopathologically and biochemically evaluate the hypothesis that tadalafil increases the uptake of a second medication into the prostate tissue by increasing the blood supply in the prostate.

Methods: Forty 12-week-old Sprague Dawley male rats were equally divided into 5 groups and were administered drugs orally as follows: Group 1 - no drugs, Group 2 - 10 days of finasteride, Group 3 - 10 days of finasteride + tadalafil, Group 4 - 30 days of finasteride, and Group 5 - 30 days of finasteride + tadalafil. At the end of 10 days of drug administration in Group1, 2, and 3, and at the end of 30 days of drug administration in Group 4 and 5,blood samples were collected from rats and analyzed for serum androgen levels.

The relationship between plasma interleukin-15 levels and sarcopenia in outpatient older people.

Background And Aim: Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome in which there is a decrease in muscle mass, muscle strength, and muscle function. Interleukin-15 (IL-15), a myokine released by skeletal muscle, has effects on both muscle and adipose tissue. We evaluated the relationship between plasma IL-15 level and sarcopenia.

Soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) and interleukin-6 levels in hyperemesis gravidarum.

Background: The aim was to compare serum soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) levels as well as interleukin-6 levels (IL-6) in pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) and asymptomatic pregnant women.

Methods: Our study population consists of voluntary first trimester-pregnant women who applied to the outpatient clinic of the department of obstetrics and gynecology of Ankara Ataturk Training and Research Hospital. Between February and May 2016, 60 pregnant women were included in our prospective study.

Comparison of noninvasive and invasive point-of-care testing methods with reference method for hemoglobin measurement.

Background: Rapid and practical point-of-care testing (POCT) devices become more popular, especially in blood donation centers for determining predonation hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate accordance between the POCT methods and the venous method as the reference to Hb screening.

Methods: A total of 353 subjects with no known significant health problems were included in the study.